Mortal Cities & Forgotten Monuments

By webber03-11-2015

Architect Arna Mackic (27) has done a design-based research into the role of architecture during a number of turning points in the turbulent history of the Balkans. The challenge was to find new ways to give shape to identity in an open manner and to make emotionally charged national history a subject of discussion.

Her research resulted in the book ‘Mortal Cities & Forgotten Monuments’, winner Dutch Design Award 2015 and voted Best Dutch Book Design 2014. In this book she made an architectural proposal for the destroyed and divided city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mackic argues in favor of a cultural heritage that also includes the black pages in the history of the city so as to promote the healing process of the city and its inhabitants. In doing so, she does not go back to ethnicity or religion, but takes collective habits or memories as a starting point for the reconstruction of cities with a history of conflict.

This principle is also applicable to other countries, regions, and cities. Lebanon and Sweden invited her to speak about the cultural heritage of respectively Beirut, Aleppo (Syria) and Stockholm.